Aldermen Give Preliminary Approval To Mayor’s Proposed Fee and Tax Hikes

Aldermen Give Preliminary Approval To Mayor’s Proposed Fee and Tax Hikes

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Chicago aldermen gave preliminary approval on Monday to several fee and tax hikes as part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2018 budget proposal.

The mayor wants to increase the tax charged for every trip customers take with a ride-sharing company — like Uber or Lyft. It would rise to 55 cents per trip next year and 60 cents in 2019. 

The city wants to give that new revenue to the CTA to improve bus and train lines. But several aldermen like Brendan Reilly are concerned the city is raising taxes, then giving that money to an agency whose budget they don’t oversee.

Other fees include a higher 911 surcharge on phone bills and an increased ticket tax on live events in larger venues.